Best time to visit the Taj Mahal: top tips for your visit

Shah Jahan’s mausoleum (and architectural love letter) to his wife Mumtaz Mahal is surely at the top of most people’s must-see list in India. One of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World, it has quite the reputation to live up to! But what do you need to know for your Taj Mahal visit?

The classic view of the Taj Mahal

Where is the Taj Mahal located?

The Taj Mahal is in Agra, a city some 3 hours’ drive to the southeast of Delhi. Approached by train or via a modern, fast motorway, it is a best visited as an overnight stay to enjoy the monument at its finest.

Check out this great post from Bianca at ItsAllBee for more detailed information on how to get to Agra from Delhi, or join one of the many Delhi-Agra-Jaipur Golden Triangle tours or a shorter Delhi-Agra tour.

Don’t underestimate the number of touts and street sellers in Agra, who are attracted by the many visitors arriving on Taj tours (a staple of most North India tour packages) and to view the many other sights in the area. Unwanted attention is best avoided by keeping your eyes forward and carrying on walking. Don’t engage, even to say no, or you will find the vendors hard to shake off – but as a blonde female, I never felt threatened.

An alternative view of the Taj

How to get to the Taj Mahal

The monument is located in the heart of Agra, but due to its scale it is recommended to take a taxi or autorickshaw (tuk-tuk) to reach the gates themselves, especially if you are arriving or leaving in the dark. Be sure to negotiate the fare before you set off; ask your hotel receptionist for a guide to what the price should be, and don’t be afraid to walk away if the figure is too high – you won’t struggle to find another willing driver!

What is the best time to visit the Taj Mahal?

The Taj Mahal opening time is 6am, and I would recommend being one of the first through the gate. Not only is the light beautiful and the weather cool, but you will (briefly) have the place to yourself. Arrive around 05:30 and queue outside the gate to be first through; note that mosquitos can be active at this time, though, so long sleeves/trousers and insect repellent are recommended.

Note about Taj Mahal visiting hours: On Fridays the entire site is closed, except for Muslims to attend prayers at the mosque in the afternoon. Make sure you plan your trip between Saturday and Thursday to avoid disappointment!

Giving it my best Princess Diana!

Why visit the Taj Mahal? What is there to see once I get there?

The iconic mausoleum itself is, of course, the main draw. Enormous up close, and made of marble inlaid with precious stone, it is breathtaking. You can enter the Taj, which is made up of a number of anterooms, with replicas of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal’s tombs at its heart. The real tombs are not publicly accessible and are located on the floor below.

To either side of the Taj are two buildings of red stone, one of which is a mosque while the other, mirroring it, was thought to be a guest house. There are also formal gardens to explore, as well as a museum.

Sunrise behind the mosque

Will it be busy?

In a word, yes! But Indian tourists outnumber foreigners by some margin, and it’s a great place to watch local life. Touts are not officially allowed on the site, although cheap entry prices for locals mean a few slip through simply by buying a ticket. As a general rule, though, you will be left alone to appreciate the monument.

Up close, the inlaid marble is stunning

How long do I need to allow?

It depends on how much of a dreamer you are! Not including queuing to get in, you could see most of the site in an hour, but allow up to 2 hours for photography and general awe-inspired wonderment.

Taj Mahal at sunrise

Where can I get the best photos?

There are several classic shots of the Taj Mahal. The most unmissable is the long shot over the reflection pools with the “Princess Diana” bench at its centre. To get a shot on the bench itself, prepare for a long queue or get there early! However, beautifully framed shots can also be taken from under the arches at the back of the site, or try some quirky angles up close to really show the detail of the towering minarets and inlaid marble. Low light at sunrise and sunset can also give some nice effects with the Taj in silhouette. It’s impossible to take a picture of the Taj Mahal that isn’t beautiful.

Framed by trees, the Taj is even more imposing

Where’s the best place to view the sunset?

Across the Yamuna river from the Taj Mahal are the gardens of Mehtab Bagh, which make a great spot to watch the sun set over the monument, whilst enjoying local life as it passes by along the river bank.

The Taj Mahal bathed in evening light

Are there any other sights to see in the area?

Agra is a busy modern city with some other fine monuments such as the “Baby Taj” (Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah), and Agra Fort which is well worth a visit in itself. The World Heritage site of Fatehpur Sikri is also just outside Agra, so plan to spend a couple of days here to make the most of the area.

Fascinating Fatehpur Sikri is a short drive from Agra

Is the Taj Mahal really worth the hype?

Unequivocally. I went there fully expecting to be disappointed, and assuming it wouldn’t live up to its reputation. But the opposite was true – my jaded eyes which had seen a million photos of the Taj Mahal were still transfixed by the real thing. Definitely not to be missed!

Considering one of the many Taj Mahal tours, or prefer to travel independently? Either way, pin this post for later!

I’m Jill, and I’m a British blogger who has been travelling for more than 15 years, visiting 65+ countries on 6 continents. I love to travel both solo and with groups, and to discover the cultures and peoples of the countries I visit. And I love to share a good story or two along the way!

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6 Comments

The Taj Mahal hype confuses me. Some say it’s amazing, others (like my bf) say it’s boring and not worth it. Interesting to read that you also expected to be disappointed! I think, judging from the pictures, that it must be worth it so if I ever find myself in India, I’ll definitely try to visit. That brings me to something else; how to get there. I heard it’s extremely confusing to get there. Was that the case for you too? I really like your post, it answers all the important questions!

Thank you! There’s not a ton to see, it’s more to do with the atmosphere and enjoying the beauty. I was fine as I went on an organised tour, but from anywhere in Agra I’m sure a taxi or tuktuk would get you there with their eyes closed (hopefully not literally)! Agra is just south of Delhi and easy to reach by train, or there’s a motorway now which has replaced the old road. Didn’t seem too hard to me!

I just visited the Taj Mahal and I agree with your assessment. I totally thought that it wasn’t going to live up to the hype – so many people said it didn’t and generally with major tourist spots I’ve always been disappointed – but I think it definitely lived up to the hype. I wonder if it has anything to do with the time of day during your visit. I also went in the morning with fewer tourists, but by the time we were leaving the place was swarming.

I feel absolutely the same as you, major tourist spots normally disappoint me. I do think going early helped, you need to be able to experience the magic which isn’t quite the same when it’s crowded. I’d definitely recommend an early start. Thanks so much for commenting!